Iran taunts Trump after midterm defeat over Iran war

Tehran taunted President Donald Trump over his midterm election defeat on Wednesday, with officials claiming Iran had inflicted a strategic and political blow, as Trump admitted the war against Iran was a key factor in the Republican loss of both congressional chambers. The US-Israeli strikes that began eight months ago drove up oil prices and living costs, angering voters who punished Trump's party. Trump said the war was "largely true" as the cause, citing short-term gasoline price increases, though he defended the conflict as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iranian officials celebrated the results, with demonstrators chanting anti-US slogans in Tehran. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said the war "must end" and suggested using Congress's funding power to pressure Trump, who retains authority to order new strikes, including Tuesday's attack on Qeshm Island.